Looking like a twat at the gym

[Kittykat93]

So I've literally just joined a gym..never been to one before properly! Went for the first time last night and felt so out of my depth and anxious, I just stayed on the treadmill for half an hour then left !! How do I learn to become confident and to stop feeling like everyone is looking at me ? :( I honestly feel so gross and unfit and looking around at everyone doing weights, using all the machines makes me feel so self conscious. But I am determined to stick at this for my health. I'm also worried about using the machines wrong and feel too shy to ask anyone. Its pathetic

You should have had an induction. Call the gym and book one. The gym instructor will show you how to safely use the machines.

You should get an induction - most gyms offer this for free. They will show you how to use the equipment and may even put you a training plan together to start you off, good luck!

Can you book an induction with one of the instructors? That’s what I’ve done in the past and they put a program together for you and go over how to use the machines. Don’t worry, everyone has been new at some point!

You really need to have an induction with a member of the gym staff. They will show you how to use the equipment, and sort out a programme for you with reviews at regular intervals to make sure you are marking progress. This should be part of your gym membership fees.
We all had to start somewhere. Everyone probably felt the same as you do. I know I did but a proper exercise programme made all the difference.
I promise no one is looking at you. Gyms are normally places where everyone is doing their own thing and plugged in to some sort of media.

I m the same as you, first visit I just jogged/walked and pressed random buttons. No induction as that was all online/videos.

I put headphones on and that helped, having my music playing, I also watched what others were doing to figure out how each machine basically worked.

Then a few visits in I plucked up the courage to ask one of the staff members to explain a couple of the machines I was most interested in. After that it got easier to ask questions and feel comfortable.

Ah okay, I wasnt offered an induction i just turned up and they asked if i had any questions and I stupidly said no when actually I should have said I dont know what the hell I'm doing please help me!!! I'm going to go back tonight and ask to book in an induction. I dont know why I feel so anxious

Well done for joining up ! I joined the gym about 18months before Lockdown. I joined on my own, too, as I didn't want to rely on anyone else. I know classes haven't started yet, but do they do classes? This is a great way to meet people, get chatting etc. I was doing 4 classes a week before covid, and was loving it. I've met some lovely people and can always spot someone new. I usually repay the kindness shown to me and go and have a chat.
Like pp said, everyone is new at some point. They're not staring, you're just feeling a bit self conscious.
I didn't have an induction as I didn't go for the machines, but look into it, as they will give you a plan, then you've got a bit more structure.
Well done again, it's a big step. I lost 20lbs in 18 months, got muscles, felt so energetic and can't wait to get back.

Well done for joining up.

Truly, no one will look at you judgementally. It’s understandable to feel self conscious because it is all so unfamiliar, but keep it up and you will soon feel like an old hand.

I hope they are helpful when you go back. Tell them you have never been in a gym before. It is their job to help you.

I just stayed on the treadmill for half an hour then left !!

30 minutes on a treadmill is amazing!! Congratulations. I get bored & tired and want to get off after 2 minutes. You're doing better than most other people by just getting there and doing something.

I find it helps to have a programme, and a plan for each session before I go. So I do 5 minutes warm up, then I do whatever I've decided to do. There are lots of ways you can develop a programme. But ask a trainer at the gym to suggest some things.

And all women should do strength/resistance training: learn how to lift weights. It's really good for bone density & it's also fun to be strong.

I promise you that noone is looking at you, everyone is focused on themselves- or should be!
Echo an induction, or the exercise section on here can help with some advice. Everyone had to start somewhere and learn to use the equipment remember

Thanks so much everyone. I know in my head no one is staring at me its just hard when I know I have the biggest unhealthiest body in the room and have no idea what I'm doing. I'm gonna keep going back though..I've got this

@Kittykat93, yes you have ! You go !
( and FWIW whenever I see someone at the gym tackling their weight, I look in admiration...)

Ask for an induction and if they do individual programmes; my gym did and it was so good for addressing what I wanted to achieve and I also then learnt how to use a select few machines and as my confidence grew I started using others. Also honestly no one is looking at you as they’re more focused on themselves

People are definitely not watching you or judging you. At the minute all those people who you think look fit will be focusing on their own imperfections and/or goals.
An induction will definitely make you feel more confident with the equipment and they should be able to guide you towards a workout that will suit you and help you towards your goal.
Once you are over this initial nerves you'll enjoy it.

This app was recently launched. I've recently gone back to the gym and have very little idea of what to do. This app is giving me easy routines to do, and will gradually get me onto the machines (so I can ask staff to help with one thing at a time!)

I thoroughly recommend it. It's not like other fitness apps:

nobsapp.co.uk

In addition to induction, ask them at the desk when are the least busy times to book. You'll feel less self-conscious & unfit if you go at a quieter time, especially if it's mostly retired slow/weaker people using the equipment around you.

I go on Pinterest for weights and workout ideas and look at them on my phone as I do them.

You definitely should have an induction. Most gyms will put together a little programme for you as well if you ask. If they don’t, it can be worth having a session or two with a personal trainer to establish your goals and draw up a training plan. Money well spent IMO.

On the grounds of health & safety it's quite irresponsible of them to just let you in to use equipment you're not familiar with! Definitely book an induction and make sure it's a proper one that goes through technique, selecting the right settings / intensity levels etc for you and not just one that goes "this is a bike, this is a cross trainer". Personal training is well worth the money for a few sessions to help get you started.